"Eck’s Factor": Raw SuperShow 9/12 analysis

Welcome to the debut of "Eck’s Factor," a WWE.com exclusive column that will be posted every Tuesday and Saturday. The purpose of this column is simple: analyze Raw SuperShow and SmackDown in accordance with what you, the WWE Universe, have been talking about on Facebook, Twitter, and WWE.com. These are the big stories, and here are my takes ...

Talking point: Triple H and CM Punk engage in a final face-off before Night of ChampionsEck’s Factor: Triple H and Punk held nothing back in a riveting verbal confrontation that was off-the-charts intense. I’ll be honest: My first thought when I sensed another war of words was that I was all talked out. I mean, what more could they possibly say to each other that they haven’t already said? I should have known better. Not only are Punk and Triple H two of the best talkers in WWE, but the issue between them is as personal as it gets. As Punk said, this really isn’t about he and Triple H as Superstars; it’s about Phil Brooks and Paul Levesque. That revelation made me – and, I’m guessing, all of you – even more eager to see them get their hands on each other, no-DQ style at Night of Champions. And, what was going on with Punk’s mics? Obviously, someone wanted to silence the “Voice of the Voiceless,” but I have a hunch that it wasn’t Triple H. That just doesn’t seem like his style. Who could it have been? Join the discussion on Facebook and tell me your thoughts.

Talking point: Bret Hart interrupts Alberto Del RioEck’s Factor: It’s always good to see the “Hit Man” make an appearance on Raw or SmackDown, and the crowd in Ottawa was obviously thrilled that he was there, but I have to agree with Del Rio: Hart coming out during Del Rio’s interview time was a blatant show of disrespect to the WWE Champion. Hart should consider himself extremely lucky that John Cena joined the conversation, or else the WWE Hall of Famer could very well have found himself trapped in a Cross Armbreaker.

Talking point: Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes defeats World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton in a Non-Title MatchEck’s Factor: Sure, Orton had a huge distraction in The World’s Strongest Man Mark Henry, and, yes, Rhodes did use his facemask as a weapon, but a pinfall over Orton is still a major, major win for Cody. Rhodes nearly beat Orton when the two met last week on SmackDown, so his win shouldn’t be all that shocking. Is this win over the current World Heavyweight Champion reason to name Cody the No. 1 Contender after Night of Champions? On a side note, some in the WWE Universe have questioned how Rhodes’ facemask could have been so effective in stunning Orton – it must’ve caught him right in the eye. Will that have any lasting effects come Sunday?

Talking point: Jerry Lawler chooses Sheamus to be his tag team partner against Michael McGilicutty and David OtungaEck’s Factor: The King couldn’t have picked a better partner. Sheamus, who manhandled McGillicutty and Otunga as he led his team to victory, has been on a roll as of late, and he is really starting to connect with the WWE Universe. I admit that I thought Sheamus’ two reigns as WWE Champion were a fluke at the time, but “The Great White” has won me over and I think the best is yet to come. By the way, Lawler knows first-hand just how tough Sheamus is. Two years ago, he was on the receiving end of a Brogue Kick from Sheamus at the announce table.

Talking point: The Miz defeats Kofi KingstonEck’s Factor: Say what you want about The Miz and R-Truth’s conspiracy theories, but there’s no denying that the self-proclaimed “most must-see WWE Champion in history” is one of WWE’s elite, and he proved it again with his convincing victory over Kingston. Is Miz’s win a hint of what’s to come when he and R-Truth challenge Kingston and Evan Bourne – Air Boom – for the WWE Tag Team Championship? My prediction: Miz and Truth walk away with the gold.

Talking point: Problems persist between United States Champion Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger and Vickie GuerreroEck’s Factor: Miscommunication between Ziggler and Swagger resulted in them losing a tag team match to Alex Riley and John Morrison. It’s a shame that Ziggler and Swagger can’t get on the same page. With their skills, and the managerial expertise of Vickie Guerrero, “ZigSwag” could dominate the WWE tag team scene for years. Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s going to happen, especially with these two competing in a Fatal 4-Way – along with Riley and Morrison – for Ziggler’s U.S. Title Sunday at Night of Champions.

Talking point: Ricardo Rodriguez enjoys a glass of Mexican goat milk to prepare for his tag team match with Alberto Del Rio against John Cena and Bret HartEck’s Factor: Why was Rodriguez sipping the lactose beverage while attempting to do pushups in the locker room? My guess is that Ricardo is more in the know than he lets on. WWE Hall of Famer Capt. Lou Albano frequently espoused the virtues of drinking “unborn virgin goat’s milk.” If Rodriguez knows that aimless bit of WWE trivia, he’s a true student of the business. For such a silly segment on Raw, the Rodriguez / milk fiasco could be very telling.

WHO IS KEVIN ECK?

For those who are unfamiliar with me, I come to WWE from The Baltimore Sun, where I was an assistant sports editor and the author of a pro wrestling blog titled Ring Posts. In between two stints with The Sun, I worked as the editor of WCW Magazine from 2000 to 2001.